Nigeria's poor power generation and gas pipeline vandalism have made energy conservation necessary for consumers to reduce wastage and maximise available power supply.
Power supply is rationed to homes and industries and consumers can do their bit by conserving energy. Consumers using prepaid meters also need to conserve energy to save costs.
The Ikeja Electricity Distribution Company is also working in this line as it is partnering with the Lagos State Government on energy conservation.
In a recent visit to the Lagos State Electricity Board, the Managing Director of IKEDC, Mr. Abiodun Ajifowobaje, decried the incidence of energy wastage in the state. He said many consumers were in the habit of putting on electricity that they did not need. He said such electricity could be utilised by other consumers.
He, therefore, sought the state government's assistance in sensitising the public to the disadvantages of wasting energy.
In addition, Ajifowobaje urged the state government to remove structures erected under power lines, highlighting the dangers it posed to human lives.
He noted that electric cables could snap and electrocute persons living or trading under power lines.
However, the General Manager, LSEB, Mrs. Damilola Ogunbiyi, said the issue of energy wastage was already scheduled to come up for discussion at the upcoming 7th Lagos Economic Summit.
Tagged Ehingbeti 2014, the summit themed, ''Powering the Lagos Economy: Real Opportunities, Endless Possibilities," will address the issue of power and its importance to the economy.
Ogunbiyi added that the state government had started an awareness campaign to educate residents on how to manage electricity.
According to the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission, one way to conserve energy is to always set the pressing iron to the right temperature when in use.
NERC also advised that clothes should be pressed in bulk instead of pressing them in bits.
Other tips of conserving energy include:
•Using pressing irons at periods when most people are away at work;
•Switching off electrical appliances when not in use;
• Turning off the lights when leaving any room or not in use;
•Unplugging battery chargers or power adapters when not in use;
•Using microwave to reheat or cook small portions;
•Making sure that window-fitted Air Conditioner units fit the window frame, to prevent outside air from getting in;
•Ensuring that AC units are the right size for the room;
•Checking to see that windows and doors are closed when cooling your home;
•Washing only full loads of dishes and clothes;
• Cleaning AC's air filters at least once a month to keep it running at peak performance;
•Blocking the sun from overheating your home by using shades, blinds and drapes;
•Buying energy-saving bulbs instead of the regular ones;
•Setting dishwashers on economy mode, to use less water and electricity;
• Turning off your oven when food is almost done to let existing heat finish the cooking; Not putting hot food in freezer as this could lead to paying more for electricity.
It will be noticed that many houses have electric bulbs that are left on all the day long and sometimes they are never switched off at all.
Our correspondents spoke to some members of the public who said they deliberately do this because of the estimated billing system.
In Ogba area of Lagos, Mrs. Comfort Ojo, a hairdresser, told our correspondent that no one could convince her to switch off the light to conserve energy.
She said, "You are telling me to switch it off to conserve energy. when I know that it would not make any difference whether I switch it off or not? I still pay N2,000 monthly whether I try to save energy or not.
"The same thing happens in my house. Most of the bulbs in my house are left on. The only bulb I switch off is the one in my room and I only switch it off when I want to sleep.
"As long as I am using the old meter and the estimated billing system continues, I will burn energy as I deem fit."
Mr. Victor Igho gave the same response when asked if he saved energy.
He said he paid at least N5,000 in his apartment which uses the post-paid meter.
Igho said, "I grew up knowing that it is better to switch off the light you are not using. Even if we were watching television and not reading, my father would tell us to switch off the light to reduce electricity bill.
"But now that I am an adult, it seems things have changed in the country. I have learnt long ago that even if you don't use light in your house at all, you will still get an exorbitant amount as bill.
"This has happened many times. There have been times that we have just few days of power throughout the month in my area in Akute, we still got about N4,000 as bill."
However, the responses of pre-paid meter consumers that Power Talkback spoke with were expectedly different as they stated that they were able to control how much they spend on power by taking steps to save energy in their homes.
Copyright PUNCH.
All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express written permission from PUNCH.
Contact: editor@punchng.com
Original Page: http://www.punchng.com/feature/power-talkback/ikedc-seeks-lagos-govts-help-on-energy-conservation/
No comments:
Post a Comment